Karla Davis is a soulful singer/songwriter from Monroe, North Carolina. Driven by the church, it was the choir that invoked her musical spirit. Karla grew up not only singing in church, but also as a phenomenal athlete. She played multiple sports throughout high school and went on the receive an athletic scholarship to play for the Women’s Soccer Team at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. “I was so focused on school and soccer that once it was all coming to an end I had to figure out what truly made me happy...what I was meant to do". Music found Karla just as quickly as her fingers found their home on the fret board of her first guitar. "I could just hear something on the radio and play it...I felt a fire inside of me when I performed...like nothing I had ever experienced before".
After posting youtube videos that began receiving hundreds of thousands of views weekly, Karla started believing music was what she was supposed to pursue. So, she took a leap of faith in the fall of 2009 when she decided to move to Nashville, TN. She began networking with writers and artists around town and actually started garnering enough interest to make a name for herself. She had been competing, round by round, in the Colgate Country Showdown and found herself at the doorsteps of the Ryman Auditorium where she would compete in the National final.
On January 14, 2010 Karla was named the winner of the Showdown and was given the title Best New Act in Country Music. “I was so grateful,” said Davis, “That was such a monumental moment so early in my career". Through her success with the Showdown, Karla was able to meet with many seasoned professionals in and around Nashville and she began to realize who she wanted to become as an artist.
For Karla, inspiration is found in the soulful sounds of Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, and Eva Cassidy. When asked of influences, Karla said, “I don’t know that I have any true influences...I have artists that I love to listen to, but I like being very unique and I don’t want to lose my individuality...I don’ t want to sound like anyone but myself".
Karla found herself and her original sound having the opportunity of a lifetime when she was selected to be a contestant on season 2 of NBC’s hit show, “The Voice”. She made her way far into the competition making it onto Team Adam and progressing to the top 16. "I learned so much and grew so much as an artist and performer because of The Voice," said Davis of her experience. "Now I feel like I finally have the confidence that I've always been searching for...I'm finally ready".
With her second album under her belt, and now calling Nashville home, Karla is continuing to write, perform, and hone her craft with the likes of some of the best in the business. Living by one of her favorite quotes from Gandhi, “you must be the change you wish to see in the world," Karla said, “Music can change the world...I know it! I think everyone is here for a reason; my reason, my purpose, is to use music to change lives".